So saying, he grasped his rudder tight, and clungmore firmly, fixing on the stars his eyes.Then waved the god above his brows a branchwet with the dews of Lethe and imbuedwith power of Stygian dark, until his eyeswavered and slowly sank. The slumberous snarehad scarce unbound his limbs, when, leaning o'er,the god upon the waters flung him forth,hands clutching still the helm and ship-rail torn,and calling on his comrades, but in vain.Then soared th' immortal into viewless air;and in swift course across the level seathe fleet sped safe, protected from all fearby Neptune's vow. Yet were they drawing nighthe sirens' island-steep, where oft are seenwhite, bleaching bones, and to the distant earthe rocks roar harshly in perpetual foam.Then of his drifting fleet and pilot goneAeneas was aware, and, taking helm,steered through the midnight waves, with many a sigh;and, by his comrade's pitiable deathsore-smitten, cried, “O, thou didst trust too farfair skies and seas, and liest without a grave,my Palinurus, in a land unknown!”